Walker Dunn Surveyors Reviews 308

Whilst the report from the full building survey looked reassuring and comprehensive, once I moved into my new house, I sadly discovered it to be unreliable.

The first issue was that, although the roof covering was given a condition rating of 2 (not considered urgent), within a few months of moving in I experienced leaks, requiring repairs to the roof – specifically the repointing of the chimney as well as replacing the flashing to the gable end. When I raised this with the company, I did not receive a satisfactory response – instead they referred to their recommendation at the time that I conduct a damp survey based on isolated high moisture readings observed at ground floor walls - how this relates to the need to repoint a chimney which in their report they stated "generally appears to be in a satisfactory state of repair" is not obvious to me, or I would assume many other prospective house buyers.

My second discovery was incorrect information supplied, specifically the survey stated that "as is recommended, the bathroom has been fitted with a mechanical extract fan complete with overrun facility and which should preferably be fitted with a ‘humiditstat’. This was found to be working", which in fact turned out to be false. Upon moving in to the property I discovered that there was no fan in the bathroom (only a light), and so it is not possible that it was tested – meaning that, more worryingly, the survey contained false information. When I raised this with the company their defence seemed to be that, if I had instructed an electrical contractor to conduct a survey as they recommended, this independent report might have highlighted the discrepancy with the false information supplied in the building survey. They further indicated that the absence of a bathroom fan would not have impacted the purchase price of the property. They failed to appreciate or respond to my concern that, whilst the absence of a bathroom fan may not significantly impact the market value of the property, it will require additional expense and inconvenience to rectify which would need to be planned for. More generally, if one piece of information in the survey is incorrect, then how many more errors are there in the survey that I have yet to identify, and how much additional expense and inconvenience will this entail?

So sadly, having contracted an expensive survey which experience has demonstrated not to be entirely trustworthy, I am further extremely disappointed by the response I received when raising these issues with the company - in responding to my complaint the company did not display any customer empathy, but appeared to be focussed on protecting itself financially and hiding behind legalise.

Based on my experience I would not recommend using this company.

Did my survey very quick

Very efficient service, easily arranged.
Comprehensive report presented in good time.

The survey was produced in a timely manner and was useful in identifying some issues which we have raised with the vendor.
The survey included 119 numbered photographs but did not reference any of them .
Photograph 49 shows feed trays presumably to address an infestation of some kind ,an opinion from the Surveyor on the ‘state of play’ would have been useful.

The survey was carried out very quickly. I am not sure whether I did receive value for money as it appears many of the inspections are now dependant on specialist. However, the office were very polite and efficient.

Sandra Manley did a Level 3 survey for me on a 100-year-old Grade II listed house. Her survey report was clear and comprehensive, and her advice was at all times prompt, practical and understandable. She was also very personable to deal with, and always available to help with matters arising after the survey. Highly recommended.

We bought a property which was built in the 1960's therefore instructed Walker Dunn Surveyors to carry out a full survey on the property to understand the extent of repairs, which needed to be carried out. When the survey was being carried out, my then (new) neighbour highlighted to the surveyor that the previous owners (then current) had had issues with a leak in the roof, and that they had been told on numerous occasions that the roof needed to be fully replaced. My neighbour offered the surveyor to take a better look from their bathroom window (looking out onto the side of their house, onto the property) for which the surveyor dismissed the opportunity and said that he/she can gain a good observation of the roof, from a ground level. After receiving the report back, it was obvious that the report was written to merely 'cover their arses'. There was no mention of the roof's overall state, as given by my neighbour and no mention of roof tiles missing. After moving into the property, we have had numerous quotes from roofers, confirming my neighbours statement and have been told that we need a new roof and even provided photos of a large section of roof, which has no tiles on at all. This has come as a shock given the findings we trusted in the surveyors report and we have only become aware of this after getting to know the neighbour next door and having quotes from various roofers. I would not use these surveyors again and would not recommend. If you do use them, make sure you take their findings with a pinch of salt and investigate yourselves (which funnily enough, you would think the surveyor you have paid, would do this for you!!!)

Absolutely fantastic service From Sandra Manley who made the whole process from
Booking the survey, explaining various options to us, to then receiving a very thorough survey report. Wouldnt hesitate to recommend. Thankyou for making a very stressful time that little bit easier. Xx

Found the company helpful in arranging my Help to Buy Valuation and then extending it when my sale was delayed. Quick to respond and customer services very good. Would highly recommend.

Excellent surveying service. Easy to arrange. Quick to book and carry out survey. Report provided quickly after visit. Surveyor happy to discuss any aspects of report. Have used services twice and would recommend.

Report professionally written

Identified issues for the seller to fix

I am very pleased to say the process of instructing a survey via your company was extremely smooth running.
I wanted to say a huge thank-you to Yvonne and Paul Howard Assoc RICS for your support with the survey on my property. I have been through the surveying process many times over the years and this was comfortably the best service I ever received. You have been friendly, responsive and efficient throughout.

Professional service, easy to understand and well written report

Made contact through a mutual friend's recommendation. Quote quickly given and survey done within 2 weeks as seller was on holiday. Survey easy to understand and passed on to the relevant parties.

Quick & easy service. Report was received within 24 hours. Very happy with service provided

They failed to inform me on plug sockets that weren't attached to the walls

I was purchasing a house for my son in Manchester, an area that I am totally unfamiliar with. I was pleased to receive a recommendation for Walker Dunn Surveyors from the estate agents. I still checked them out (!)...however, any doubts were cast aside by their prompt and attentive service, their extremely thorough survey and reassuring findings...I would not hesitate to recommend them in the future.

A very clear and honest survey. Booking the appointment was easy and the lady i contacted was very friendly. Price was better than other companies i also got quotes from. Highly recommend.

Walker Dunn was recommended to us by a friend. The whole process was quick and easy from start to finish. Communication was good and we received our report quickly even though it was bank holiday weekend.
Happy with the price we paid too. All in all, very satisfied.

The process of organising the survey was straightforward. The price seemed reasonable. The content of the level 2 survey was to the level of detail to be expected. All in all, an efficient and good value service. We would use them again and would recommend them.